DARIEN, Conn. -- The streets of Darien were crowded with shoppers searching for deals Thursday, July 10, at the Chamber of Commerce's annual Sidewalk Sales and Family Fun Days.

Merchants set up tables and tents all along the sidewalk of the downtown business district, where they offered best-selling items, discounts and promotional giveaways. For new businesses such as Posh Spa and Nail, the event is an opportunity for them to get their name out there.

"It's good," Posh owner Jason Su said as he handed out coupons outside the spa, which is in the Darien Playhouse building. "This has been a good chance to tell people we're open."

Posh opened its third location in Darien on June 19. The other two locations are in Westport and Southport. Su calls it "the best spa in the world," based on its staff, its luxurious atmosphere and its attention to hygiene.

Lesley Osborn was manning the table for Jumbo Dog Artbooks, a business started about six months ago by Darien moms Yaël van Hulst and Jessica Anderson. The company takes children's artwork and scans it to create hardcover coffee table books. They also pick up pieces, and will photograph sculptures and large prints.

"It's a great time saver, and it will give you something beautiful that you'll actually look at," Osborn said. She said many people passing by the Jumbo Dog table set up outside Upper Crust Bakery stopped and were interested in the business.

"It's great, we've filled up our sheet with email addresses, and it's given us a chance to talk to more people about what we do," Osborn said. "Sidewalk sales give new businesses like us a chance to build up a following locally before branching out nationally."

"I think it's important to have merchants' events like this that allow us to interact with each other and with the community," said David Harvey Jewelers owner Jeff Roseman. He said that the jewelry store was selling many popular summer items such as wedding rings and anniversary gifts. "We're enjoying ourselves, and the Chamber is doing a great job."

"We're having a good time," said David Harvey manager John Breznan. "It's a nice, fun community event."

The Darien Sidewalk Sales and Family Fun Days will continue Friday and Saturday all over town.